Progesterone is a sex hormone related to progestogens. They are produced in the ovaries by the tissues of the corpus luteum resulting from the release of a mature egg. This hormone contributes to the formation of a hormonal background in the second phase of the cycle, preparing a woman for a possible pregnancy, as well as supporting the process of gestation during the first trimester. The main analogue of Progesterone is Levonorgestrel.
It is obtained in medicine mainly by synthetic means. This hormone is released in the form of a 1-2.5% oil-based solution, which is administered intramuscularly.
The basis is usually refined oil, extracted from peach or olives. The drug is produced in ampoules with a capacity of 1 ml, and is packed in dense cardboard boxes. For oral use, it is bought in capsules, and to eliminate the signs of mastopathy, mastodynia, for external use, a gel form is recommended.
Progesterone Analogs
There are many hormonal drugs on the pharmaceutical market. There are many synthetic analogues of Progesterone. The following are most commonly used.
"Ingesta"
The drug is administered intramuscularly or subcutaneously. For dysfunctional uterine bleeding, the drug is prescribed 1 milliliter of 1% solution every day for 6-8 days. In the event that the uterine mucous membrane was cleansed in advance, injections begin after 18-20 days. In the event that it is unrealistic to carry out curettage, “Ingesta” is administered even during bleeding. When using Injesta during bleeding, its transient (by 3 days) amplification can be monitored, and therefore, it is recommended that patients with moderate to severe anemia receive a blood transfusion (200 or 250 milliliters) in advance. With stopped bleeding, it is not necessary to stop therapy before 6 days. In case the bleeding did not stop after 6-8 days of treatment, the subsequent administration of "Injesta" is pointless.
Side effects from taking this hormone are largely similar to the manifestations of the usual premenstrual syndrome in women. Taking the drug can cause headache, lethargy, poor overall health and drowsiness, as well as the occurrence of vomiting, the development of depression.
Due to the additional dose, a woman may experience bleeding, as well as sexual desire. Difficult bile secretion due to the rather long intake of progesterone contributes to the occurrence of cholecystitis and the formation of stones.
The ability of gestagens to retain fluid can provoke increased swelling, increased pressure, as well as increased blood clotting and blood clots.
"Lutein"
"Lutein" includes in its composition an active substance that is produced in the ovaries and is part of the progestogen group. This hormone helps activate catabolic processes in organs, in fact, it triggers the synthesis of various substances, helps to build new cells of reproductive organs.
After progestogen enters the cell nucleus, DNA is activated and also improves RNA synthesis, while also stimulating the synthesis of protein, which plays the role of building material throughout the body. Progesterone, affecting the uterine endometrium, gives it the opportunity to go from the proliferation phase to the secretion phase. The mucous, lining the genital organ, under the influence of progesterone, prepares for further possible fertilization and implantation of the embryo.
Gestagen
If an excessive amount of this substance is present in the female body during pregnancy, the formation of many hormones in the pituitary gland that control the growth and formation of new, healthy follicles can be reduced. Progesterone maintains a special regime in the ovaries, blocking the further production of estrogen, which is responsible for starting menstruation.
During the third trimester, pregnancy supports just progesterone of the ovaries. With an excessive decrease in its amount, an increase in the tone of the uterus and a possible threat of interruption occur.
Exerting its effect on the woman’s breast, progesterone prepares the milk ducts, preparing the pregnant body for lactation. Influencing the metabolism, the necessary amount of fat is accumulated in the tissues of the cells, the supply of necessary carbohydrates in the liver increases.
"Gestagen" is an analogue of "Progesterone", it increases the production of hormones by the adrenal glands, allows you to retain fluid. And this in some cases can lead to swelling and increased weight gain before menstruation.
"Gestagen" is injected into the muscles of 5 mg for about a week artificially created cycle.
Crinon
"Progesterone" and analogs in tablets are used in conditions when a woman has an insufficient amount of natural hormone, in certain diseases of the female reproductive organs, which are accompanied by an increased effect of follicular hormones that are produced by the ovaries during the first phase of menstruation.
The doctor may prescribe the use of synthetic or herbal analogues of Progesterone after the administration of estrogenic agents, which can be prescribed by doctors in the initial phase of the menstrual cycle. The dose of the drug "Krinon" is 10 thousand units, the course lasts 15-20 days.
Prognorm
With algodismenorrhea, this hormone is prescribed in a dosage of 5-10 mg over the next week before the onset of menstruation. With dysfunctional uterine bleeding, the drug is prescribed to regulate and smooth the menstrual cycle.
The hormone progesterone does not allow the endometrium to grow excessively, regulating its speedy transition to the phase of secretion. Drinking a dose of the hormone 5-15 mg for about a week after the end of the menstrual cycle will prevent the development of dysfunctional uterine bleeding.
Prolutex
Since human liver cells utilize progesterone, the introduction of the hormone into organs with a pronounced impaired functioning is not recommended because of the high probability of overdose.
It is known that Prolutex may not have a very favorable effect on the coagulation ability of blood, limiting its use by patients suffering from aneurysms and varicose veins. With extreme caution, this drug should be used for hypertension and VVD, as well as excessive pressure increase. Also, progesterone is not suitable for patients suffering from bronchial asthma, epilepsy attacks, since fluid retention can cause swelling of the mucous membrane of the brain, as well as frequent migraines.
"Endometrine"
If a woman does not produce progesterone at all, but she needs to endure and give birth to a healthy baby, the drug can be administered intravaginally in the form of a gel, as well as 2 capsules internally for 13-14 days, and 1 capsule for 15-25 days. If pregnancy does not occur in the future, from the 26th day the dose can be increased weekly by 1 capsule, after a time reaching 6 capsules. That is, the course of treatment is 60 days.
"Utrozhestan"
In order to eliminate infertility that has arisen due to ovarian dysfunction and luteal phase deficiency, progesterone is prescribed to create a normal phase of the cycle. The dose of the drug is 12.5 mg, and it is used during the period of 14-28 days of the menstruation cycle. When pregnancy occurs, the use of the drug continues for about the first 3 months.
When a miscarriage begins, Progesterone and analogous drugs, Utrozhestan, in particular, are prescribed in a dosage of 10-25 mg until the threat completely disappears. Progesterone should be administered in a single dose of 100 mg.
As a replacement therapy with the onset of menopause, this hormone is prescribed in the amount of 2 capsules for 10-12 days before the start of the menstrual cycle.
A contraindication to the use of "Progesterone", as well as its analogue "Utrozhestan" is called an allergy to the components of the drug. This hormone is contraindicated for women with existing oncological diseases of the breast and reproductive organs, since they have the division of malignant cells, metastasis, as well as accelerated tumor growth.
In the second and third trimester, the additional use of gestagens is contraindicated, because in this period the production of the hormone is controlled by the placenta.
Doctors reviews
According to doctors, “Progesterone” and its analogues are conveniently taken in the form of injections, especially as a supporting drug in the second phase of the cycle, when the use of the drug in other forms (tablets or suppositories) does not have the proper effectiveness in eliminating infertility.
The disadvantage of this hormone is that infiltrate is often formed in the female body, especially at the injection sites. Undoubtedly, this may somewhat limit the duration of the course of treatment.
Patient Reviews
Women after taking this hormone note the restoration of the menstrual cycle, the early onset of pregnancy, the elimination of the threat of interruption, placenta previa, and the elimination of increased tone. But there is also some kind of pain in the injections. The drug, due to its sufficiently high density and oily structure, resolves for a long time.
Total
"Progesterone" is a very effective drug that helps a woman restore her sexual health, relieves infertility, helps to bear a child, and also increase the amount of hormone produced in the body. Perhaps all these qualities made Progesterone the most frequently used drug in modern gynecology! This also explains the presence of a large number of analogues of this drug.